Payam Amouzegari; Mostafa Panahi; mir khalagh mirnia
Abstract
Groundwater resources are the most important source of fresh water in the world. In Iran which is located in the arid and semi-arid region, mismatch of consumption needs with rainfall time along with climate change has increased the demand for groundwater. Excessive extraction of groundwater in the Alashtar ...
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Groundwater resources are the most important source of fresh water in the world. In Iran which is located in the arid and semi-arid region, mismatch of consumption needs with rainfall time along with climate change has increased the demand for groundwater. Excessive extraction of groundwater in the Alashtar Watershed reduced the water level in the aquifer of the plain and water resources of this area have faced a negative balance. Due to the inherent limitations of the country's water resources and increasing the split between supply and demand, the use of economic instruments and the establishment of the water market for optimal allocation of groundwater is a necessity. Accordingly, this study in order to determine the market price of groundwater with the aim of accurately identifying the local markets for groundwater and also measure the views of local water market operators about some of the strategies for advance the water market designed and implemented. The statistical population in this research was all rural exploiters are the main reservoirs of groundwater in the basin who contribute to the buy and sale of these resources. Regarding market prices in the study area, the average price of groundwater was 1,749 Rials per cubic meter, and the total value of groundwater was estimated as 555,307.5 Milion Rials. The results showed that in 103 villages there is a market for the buy and sale of groundwater. Those villages that have a local groundwater market, 76% of the villages have been established by creating popular organizations and the water regulatory council and 43% of the villages by create a bulletin board agreed to facilitate the buy and sale of groundwater resources.
Payam Amouzegari; Mostafa Panahi; Seyed Khalagh Mirnia; Alireza Daneshi
Abstract
Groundwater resources management is one of the most important issues of natural resources management. Lack of proper management of these resources has caused serious problems such as land subsidence, aquifer salinity and the annihilation of wetlands. With population growth, has increased demand groundwater ...
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Groundwater resources management is one of the most important issues of natural resources management. Lack of proper management of these resources has caused serious problems such as land subsidence, aquifer salinity and the annihilation of wetlands. With population growth, has increased demand groundwater and led to water scarcity in many parts of the world including Iran. Estimating the economic value of groundwater is a fundamental step in water resources management strategies. The present study was conducted using interviews and questionnaires to estimate the average willingness to pay the population of the villagers living in Alashtar Plain. In this regard, some of the most important socio-economic variables of the studied population and their role in optimizing the management of groundwater resources have been studied. The statistical society in this research includes the population of villagers residing in the Alashtar Plain as the beneficiaries of groundwater resources in the area with a sample size of 490 was calculated by the Cochran formula. However, the average willingness to pay to protect groundwater resources for each household of the Alashtar Plain was estimated as 1,758,920 Rials per year. Results showed that the total value of groundwater protection in the Alashtar Plain is 8,913 Milion Rials per year. The protective value of one cubic meter of groundwater for the population that has stated their willingness to pay is based on a contingent valuation method of 208.647 Rials. It was also observed that the offered price variables, annual household income and level of education significantly affect willingness to pay for the respondents. Given the fact that there is no market for groundwater non-use value, the findings of this paper can be a powerful tool for decision making and water resources management for water sector managers.